Trail Projects Campaign
Mission
It is the Milwaukee County Parks’ mission to increase access to recreation equitably, serving all members of the community regardless of background or socioeconomic status and minimizing impact on natural resources, which is crucial to preserving the natural beauty and health of the parks. This involves prioritizing the construction of hard-surface pedestrian and biking trails that connect to a wider network of trails and bike lanes.
Vision
Aligning with Milwaukee County’s health and racial equity vision, Milwaukee County Parks provides a healthy and safe alternative to streets with reckless driving, and addresses disparities by prioritizing trail projects in historically disinvested communities. Mindful of Milwaukee County’s fiscal health, trails save hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction and maintenance over the lifespan of a trail versus a road.
Land and Water Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the land and waterways encompassed by the Milwaukee County Park System are on the ancestral homeland of Indigenous People, including the Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee. We recognize that they were forcefully removed from their lands along the shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and where the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign nations remain present. In honoring the ancestral owners and stewards of these lands and waterways, we strive to be respectful stewards.
Campaign Goals and Objectives
Since 2020, the public support for trail usage and demand for trail projects has increased. Milwaukee County Parks aims to meet this demand with a goal of adding 10 miles of new trails between 2024 and 2026. The objectives of this campaign will aim to:
- Increase public awareness and knowledge about the trail systems, usage benefits, and how individuals can contribute to preservation and enhancement.
- Offer tools and resources for project managers involved in trail development projects, tailored on best practices, innovative solutions, and sustainability.
- Encourage active participation from the local community in the planning, development, and maintenance of the trails to ensure that the expansion meets the needs and desires of trail users.
- Provide a detailed plan to decision makers that considers environmental impact, user experience, and accessibility.
- Continue to develop a recreational trail network within the County to promote the establishment of County- and Region-wide trail systems
- Prioritize projects that produce co-benefits to populations who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
- Leverage existing plans, initiatives and resources to build a shared commitment to climate action across county departments, community partners, and the general public.
- Expand the accessibility of trails by creating more hard surface paths to accommodate users with diverse mobility needs.
- Provide measurable goals to share with the public and use in grant writing to mark the success of this initiative.
Hot Topics
Trail Projects Are Fiscally Responsible
Unlike roads maintained by the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), roads and parkways maintained by Milwaukee County Parks don't receive dedicated transportation funding. Instead, Milwaukee County Parks must compete for limited resources in a capital improvement process, which often prioritizes other pressing park needs.
With 99 miles of hard surface trails and parkways, maintaining and replacing asphalt consumes half of the Milwaukee County Parks’ budget. When considering the construction cost, building trails is significantly more economical than repaving existing roads and parkways.
Well-Designed and Maintained Trails Reduce Crime
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” is a theory that suggests that well-designed environments can deter crime by promoting natural surveillance, community ownership, and access control. Trails designed with open sightlines and visibility can enhance natural surveillance, making it easier for users to observe their surroundings and potentially deter criminal activity. The design and maintenance of trail amenities, such as, signage, landscaping, and access points, can influence perceptions of safety and security. When trail planning, Milwaukee County Parks ensures a high level of community engagement to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to increased vigilance and cooperation in preventing and reporting suspicious activity.
Trails are not crime-free. However, studies show that crime rates are lower on trails than in other environments. For example, one-half of all violent crimes occur on streets or in the home. No one avoids constructing streets and building homes to deter crime, so trails need to be regarded with the same standards. The perception that crime occurs on dark and hidden parts of trails is common. However, a study that addresses this fear, establishes that it is unfounded.
Source: Neighborhoods and Trails: Why Trails? | Santa Fe Conservation Trust (sfct.org)
Trails are More Beneficial to the Natural Environment Than Roads
Trail initiatives have the potential to integrate tree planting and light landscaping, enriching the ecological appeal of our trails and bolstering biodiversity, environmental quality, canopy coverage, and wildlife habitats. Furthermore, trails without motor vehicle access function as vital wildlife corridors, connecting distinct habitats to provide sustenance, refuge, and safe passage for various species. Additionally, these trails serve as greenways, narrow pathways linking communities, recreational areas, natural sites, and parks, often featuring paved surfaces. By upholding the twin objectives of preserving natural environments and facilitating public access, multi-use trails not only offer alternative transportation routes but also provide unique opportunities for outdoor education, cultural appreciation, and habitat enhancement for local flora and fauna.
Trails Have a Positive Effect on Property Values
Trails add to the amenities available in a neighborhood, making it more attractive to potential homebuyers. Properties with views of, or easy access to, scenic areas command higher prices. While the extent of the increase in property values can vary depending on factors like location and local market conditions, studies have found a positive correlation between local trail amenities and property values.
Source: [Trail Effects on Neighborhoods: Home Value, Safety, Quality of Life - American Trails](https://www.americantrails.org/resources/trail-effects-on-neighborhoods-home-value-safety-quality-of-life#:~:text=In fact%2C trails have consistently,well as the larger community.)*
Trail Additions will not Inhibit Property Access and Driving Commute
Any properties that have driveway access to a parkway will keep their access. Removing parkway access to motor vehicles will add no more than an average of 2 minutes to a commute.
Increasing Trail Connectivity Creates Safer Access to Explore More Trails
Nearly every Milwaukee County Parks parkway is an on-street component of the Oak Leaf Trail that reconnects to the off-street trails. Transforming a parkway into a sole hard-surface trail creates safer connections for pedestrians and bicyclists and extends the mileage length of the Oak Leaf Trail.
These hard surface trails become gateways to explore more of what the Milwaukee County Parks have to offer including it’s many unique Natural Areas.
“If you have the privilege to visit a high-quality natural area within the park system, you’re likely hiking on a section of the Forked Aster Hiking Trail. These trails are windows into vibrant, ecologically diverse natural places, and they delicately guide hikers through the natural areas that many species call home. By diligently working to appropriately place and maintain these trails, Parks is protecting the habitat of over 2,300 species of native plants, fungi, and wildlife.
Parks has a dual mission of conservation and recreation, and ensuring access to natural areas is vital for promoting physical and mental health, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment, and providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Always practice good trail etiquette and ethics when using trails in natural areas. How you choose to use the trail directly impacts the experiences of everyone who traverses the trail after you.” - Brian Russart, Natural Areas Manager for the Milwaukee County Parks
Trail Construction and Maintenance is More Fiscally Responsible than Parkway Construction and Maintenance
The average cost of initiating a new road construction project surpasses that of a new trail development by 5 times, not factoring in restoration, soft costs (for example administrative and design costs), and other site-specific expenses, while also incurring significantly higher construction and long-term maintenance costs, making investing in trails a more fiscally responsible decision.
Transforming a Parkway to a Trail Reduces Illegal Dumping
Milwaukee County Parks spend tens of thousands of dollars cleaning up illegal dump sites along parkways. Parkway to Trail test sites, known as “Active Streets”, have proven to reduce, if not eliminate, dump sites at these locations. On average, 115 hours and $1,778 are spent cleaning up each dump site.
Active Streets examples:
The Reduced Pavement from Transforming a Parkway to a Trail Aids in Stormwater Management
Milwaukee County Parks’ commitment to reducing pavement is consistent with other efforts throughout the County and our Strategic Plan. Reducing pavement achieves the benefits of reducing stormwater runoff, the effects of urban heat islands, harmful emissions from the asphalt production process, and expensive long-term maintenance obligations. In short, less pavement requires less maintenance and is more self-sustaining.
Trails Have Positive Impacts on Mental and Physical Health
Ensuring access to natural areas via trails is vital for promoting physical and mental health, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment, and providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Research has linked increased time spent in nature with a wide range of health benefits, including increased Vitamin D levels, reduced risk of obesity, and better fetal growth rates for mothers. Additionally, increased access to parks and greenspaces has been connected with improved relationship skills and reduced stress, anger, and aggression - particularly among children and teens.
Source: Children & Nature Network | Health & Wellbeing (www.childrenandnature.org)
Documents | Northwest Milwaukee Trails Connection Plan | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
In the Last 5 Years - In the Next 5 Years
Completed Trail Projects
- In 2020, the parkway in the SE portion of Greenfield Park was reconstructed into a trail
- In 2021, the Power Line Trail - Oak Creek connection to Bender Park
Upcoming Trail Projects
- Lincoln Creek Parkway Trail Conversion | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
- Little Menomonee River Parkway Trail Conversion | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
- Underwood Creek Parkway Redesign | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
- Kinnickinnic River Parkway - Jackson Park Drive | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
- Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Kohl Park | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
- Oak Leaf Trail Extension - Bender Park | Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)
More Information on Trails Projects can be found at Milwaukee County, WI (mkecountyparks.org)